Here's a new year interview Sager did with KRMG re: 2012 Blue Dome projects. There's a little more info about his lofts (surprise! slowly moving ahead!) and some of the tenants they're considering. He also talks about a building I've been interested in for awhile, an old tractor (!!) dealership on 2nd and Frankfort.
http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/new-year-will-bring-big-changes-downtown-tulsa/nGCcW/New year will bring big changes to downtown Tulsa
It will be easier than ever to live, work and play downtown
TULSA, Okla. — The year 2012 promises to be a very busy one in downtown Tulsa, with any number of development projects ongoing simultaneously and more on the way.
KRMG sat down with downtown developer Michael Sager, the driving force behind the Blue Dome district.
He spoke enthusiastically about all the projects underway in his part of downtown.
"First Street Lofts have been kind of stuck for a while and we've got it back on track, we're moving forward," he said -- in spite of recent media reports to the contrary.
"We're building a liquor store called "Whisky Business" in the Blue Dome, and S & J Oyster out of Brookside's coming down, and we've got an artisan bakery going in, we've got a grocery store around the corner," he added. And there was more.
"You know, OU-TU med school's coming," he continued, "Albert G's Barbeque is under construction. Rib Crib says they're coming and they've got a lease in the neighborhood."
That doesn't even take into account all the activity in the Brady Arts District, to the west of Blue Dome.
"American Residential's just about to finish this tremendous project in Brady," Sager said, which is comprised of about 80 lofts.
Another lofts project at Greenwood and Archer has recently overcome some hurdles and will soon break ground. He also mentioned the hotel currently under construction in the Brady District.
Sager also hopes to find a tenant for a unique building located at 2nd and Frankfort. Built in 1931 or '32 to house large truck sales for International Harvester, the building has never been modified, and with 38,000 square feet of room -- all on one floor -- it's unlike any other building in Tulsa.
KRMG asked Sager what kind of business he thinks will go in there. "It is absolutely unique, there's no reason to cut it up into small buildings," he said. "I see design companies. We've had inquiries for major national marketing companies to be placed in the midwest. We're rich with telecom here and all kinds of other things, we're in a Mid-America time zone, you can work either coast and not pay overtime to your employees."
He seemed optimistic for the building's future, and for the downtown area as a whole. "We're all part of the same city here, and it's just terrific."
